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Continuing Education Providers

Continuing education is a vital part of certification programs designed to credential professionals across the United States—and Board Certification is no different. Over a decade ago, NCBTMB established its Approved Provider (AP) program to serve as a key component of its massage therapy and bodywork credential to ensure Certificants had access to reliable, credible, high-quality continuing education throughout their careers. By obtaining continuing education (CE), a practitioner demonstrates a personal and public commitment to enhance continued competence in the massage and/or bodywork profession, which is why it continues to play such a critical role in NCBTMB’s certification program.

As an NCBTMB Approved Provider, please note that each course must be submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to offering NCBTMB Continuing Education hours.

A full breakdown of NCBTMB Approved Provider Program Structure and Rules is available here.

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How to become a CE Provider

What is an NCBTMB Board Approved Continuing Education Provider?

An NCBTMB Board Approved Continuing Education Provider, commonly referred to simply as an Approved Provider, is a continuing education instructor who has exhibited quality instruction of the highest standards throughout the massage therapy and bodywork profession.

Board Certificants are must recertify every two years, and are required to earn 24 credits from an NCBTMB Approved Provider within that two-year period—meaning the highest quality massage therapists and bodyworkers will be seeking out your classes to further improve their knowledge and skills.

What are the requirements to become an Approved Provider?

Once you master a particular modality or subject, the next progressive step is to become an NCBTMB Approved CE Provider. You must have full knowledge of the course you wish to teach and also have the necessary documentation created before teaching the course, including:

Course description,

Learning outcomes, and

Syllabus/outcome of course.

Additionally, you must demonstrate that you meet NCBTMB's AP Instructor Qualifications:

Holds a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or a substantially equivalent accrediting body of a foreign sovereign state, with a major in a subject directly related to the content of the program to be offered; OR

Has completed at least five years of professional experience in the practice of massage therapy; OR

Has a minimum of two years teaching experience; OR

Has completed a NCBTMB approved teacher training program in the area of interest; OR

Has completed at least 100 hours of non-entry level education in the subject matter to be offered and has a minimum of two years of professional experience in the subject

Before submitting an application to NCBTMB for approval, you must have taught the course at least one time within the last year to a group of five or more participants. You must provide the participants with an evaluation requesting feedback on the course, instruction, and material. You may retrieve an evaluation form here.

Learning Outcomes: Learning outcomes are broader goals that describe what a student will digest, perform, state, describe, etc. upon completing a portion or all of the course. Learning objectives are building blocks of learning outcomes. There are usually multiple learning objectives per each learning outcome. NCBTMB requires one learning objective per hour. Both learning outcomes and learning objectives should be written using descriptive wording (i.e. Student will: list, define, verify, explain, state, perform, compare, recognize, identify, assess, evaluate or demonstrate).

Please also note that, as an Approved CE Provider, each course must be submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to offering NCBTMB continuing education hours.

All Approved Providers are valid for three years from the date NCBTMB approves your application. Costs for first-time applicants, as well as renewal applicants, are the same:

$225 for individuals for a three-year period

$450 for organizations or conference/tradeshow providers for a three-year period

$25 per new class submitted*

Additional $50 per renewal charge associated with Approved Providers that want to be sponsored by NCBTMB to teach New York LMTs**

*Please note that each course must be submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to offering NCBTMB continuing education hours.

** NY will only accept CEs from a CE Provider that NY approves or that is sponsored by an entity that has been approved by the NY Board. NCBTMB is a New York approved Sponsor and will pass this sponsorship to its Approved Providers.

As a first-time applicant to become an Approved Provider, what do I need to know?

Each account created on the NCBTMB website must have only one function. This means that if you are currently Nationally or Board Certified, you must create a new and separate account as an Approved Provider. You can do this by visiting the NCBTMB homepage, and clicking "Register" at the top of the page.

Other important information for first-time applicants:

The Approved Provider Application fee to both apply and renew is $225 (Individuals) and $450 (Organizations and Conference/Tradeshow Providers) for a three-year period.

Each separate course submission for an Individual or Organization Approved Provider is $25.

Multiple courses that contain information about the same modality, working with different areas of the body are considered the same course.

Courses that are taught for different amounts of CEs due to teaching for different venues are considered one course.

The application is equipped to list a primary course and the different courses that may be segmented out of the primary course.

Organizations that hold a conference or tradeshow with four or more instructors must submit $100 for the review of the conference or tradeshow.

All organizations that only hold conferences or tradeshows will submit $100 for the review of the instructors and courses being taught for the conference/tradeshow.

Important information regarding new course submissions:

Each separate course submission for an Individual or Organization Approved Provider is $25.

Each course must be submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to offering NCBTMB continuing education hours.

There will be an additional $50 per three-year renewal charge associated with Approved Providers that want to be sponsored by NCBTMB to teach New York LMTs.

NY will only accept CEs from a CE Provider that NY approves or that is sponsored by an entity that has been approved by the NY Board. NCBTMB is a New York approved Sponsor and will pass this sponsorship to its Approved Providers.

How do I apply to become an Approved Provider?

To apply to become an NCBTMB Approved Provider, it is first important to understand if you will be applying as an individual, organization, or as part of a tradeshow/conference.

Individual

An individual is defined as one instructor teaching courses. This instructor can have help (assistants) in the classroom and administrative help but is the only person that teaches under the Approved Provider Individual status.

Organization

An organization is defined as two or more instructors that work under one entity. An organization must have a primary contact person that oversees the entire Approved Provider Organization, its instructors, courses, certificates, rules and procedures and all other aspects of the organization.

Conference/Tradeshow

An organization holding a conference with four or more instructors may complete the Conference/Tradeshow portion of the Interim Course Submission form, rather than submitting each course for the conference. The provider will submit the marketing information for the course and list which instructors are currently NCBTMB Approved Providers and which are non-NCBTMB Approved Provider. Once this is complete, have each non-Approved Provider submit his/her qualification to teach, along with the courses that each teaches on the Instructor Qualifications form.

ALL: Follow the steps listed below to apply to become an Approved Provider:

Continuing education is a vital part of certification programs designed to credential professionals across the United States—and Board Certification is no different. Over a decade ago, NCBTMB established its Approved Provider (AP) program to serve as a key component of its massage therapy and bodywork credential. The principal intent of the AP program was to ensure that certificants had access to reliable, credible, high-quality continuing education throughout their careers. By obtaining continuing education (CE), a practitioner demonstrates a personal and public commitment to enhance continued competence in the massage and/or bodywork profession, which is why it continues to play such a critical role in NCBTMB’s certification program.

NCBTMB recognizes its obligation to continue serving the profession by encouraging the personal and professional development of practitioners across the country. As the massage and bodywork professions mature, continuing education must also evolve. With this in mind, NCBTMB has reassessed the national AP/CE program and the evolutionary role it must play as massage continues to advance.

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) administers a certification program, Board Certification, accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Continuing education is a vital part of certification programs designed to credential professionals across the United States. Over a decade ago, the NCBTMB established its Approved Provider (AP) program to serve as a key component of its massage therapy and bodywork credential. The principal intent of the AP program was to ensure that certificants had access to reliable, credible, high-quality continuing education throughout their careers. By obtaining continuing education (CE), a practitioner demonstrates a personal and public commitment to enhance continued competence in the massage and/or bodywork profession, which is why it continues to play such a critical role in NCBTMB’s certification program.

NCBTMB recognizes its obligation to continue serving the profession by encouraging the personal and professional development of practitioners across the country. As the massage and bodywork professions mature, continuing education must also evolve. With this in mind, NCBTMB has reassessed the national AP/CE program and the evolutionary role it must play as massage continues to advance.

As in all aspects within the health and wellness continuum, nothing stays constant. What worked for massage therapy over a decade ago when the national CE program was emerging will no longer serve the profession today as we continue to advance into the future. More than ever, members of the public and healthcare professionals alike seek options - new ideas and answers to the age old question of how to better improve quality of life. For our profession to play a part, it must step up to the plate and evolve as well.

Fulfill the roles, requirements and needs of Board Certification pursuant to its mission and purpose,

Be a model that state boards, peer organizations, continuing education providers, certificants, schools, can acknowledge, support and when applicable, emulate,

Utilize the knowledge of our educational leaders throughout the profession in concert to reflect the needs of the industry at large, and

Further the knowledge of our massage therapists throughout the country.

What is the Approved Provider Code of Conduct?

The NCBTMB Approved Provider Code of Conduct is as follows:

As an applicant for approval, I/our organization agree(s) to:

Provide accurate information to the NCBTMB in all transactions to the best of our knowledge.

Assure that course credits are awarded only to certiﬁcants who successfully complete the course according to the published requirements.

Conduct the operations and programs in an ethical manner that respects the rights and worth of the clients we serve.

Use and display the provider statement and logo according to the NCBTMB requirements.

Furnish requested information, work cooperatively with the NCBTMB and pay fees in a timely manner.

Accept that the NCBTMB audits courses for purposes of compliance with the criteria.

After due review and comment period, abide by any revisions of the criteria or inform the NCBTMB of any intention to withdraw providership.

Maintain compliance with the NCBTMB’s Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice and policies and procedures.

Adhere to the NCBTMB criteria/standards or relinquish the NCBTMB approval status after due process.

Report to the NCBTMB within thirty (30) days any major organizational or program change that impacts the operation of the administrative unit on which provider approval is based.

What does the future of the Approved Provider Program look like?

This program will continue to evolve with the profession. Within the Holistic realm, there are many different modalities accepted for CE that are within the massage therapist’s scope of practice. NCBTMB does accept a wide variety of categories and will work with professionals, other peer organizations and state boards to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the profession.

Continuous upgrades of this program will be implemented as needed in the future. NCBTMB will be considering new processes that will help therapists and the profession grow.

What is the purpose of Continuing Education?

Today in the United States relative to the massage and bodywork profession, a 500 hour (or more) core curriculum of entry level education is delivered to teach basic anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathologies of the body’s systems. It also incorporates entry-level bodywork, stress management, business, ethics and other types of modalities to gain students’ interests about the holistic realm. Upon demonstrated mastery of this information, along with hands on skills, an entry level massage therapist is judged to be competent to safely administer one to one hour and a half of full body massage.

This is simply the beginning of a therapist’s professional journey, a journey that must include some component of continued learning in both the educational and clinical (hands on) realms. In other words, an entry-level practitioner must do more to learn, retain and operationalize the necessary skills to maintain continued growth, awareness and professional competency, in addition to remaining vital and competitive within the profession.

Continuing education is one of the generally accepted methods which professionals and regulatory agencies use to ensure a therapist refines and builds on entry-level skills. It also is a means by which the larger health care and consumer communities can be assured that therapists maintain psychological, educational and professional high intentions in areas of ethical and operational excellence.

assist therapists, through additional knowledge and strengthened techniques, in remaining competitive within the marketplace

How to renew my CE Provider status

How do I renew my Approved Provider status?

All Approved Providers are valid for a three-year period. Once your three-year period is up, you will need to resubmit the same documents, and follow the same protocol, as you did when you first applied.

As a reminder, follow the steps listed below to reapply to become an Approved Provider:

Login to the NCBTMB website using your username and password at www.ncbtmb.org

Once logged in, click “Complete a Form.”

Click the “Approved Provider Renewal Provider Application.”

Complete the application and “Submit.”

Enter your payment information and click “Submit Payment.”

Wait for the next screen and click “Confirm Payment.”

Once you confirm payment, your application is automatically placed in the review process.

You may follow your application progress from the home screen in your account. Please keep in mind that all applications are processed in the order in which they are received. This process takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the number of applications we receive daily. Do not worry about the expiration date--we will extend it out during the review process.

How much does it cost to apply for or to renew my Approved Provider status?

All Approved Providers are valid for three-years from the date NCBTMB approves your application. Costs for first-time applicants, as well as renewal applicants, are the same:

$225 for individuals for a three-year period

$450 for organizations or conference/tradeshow providers for a three-year period

$25 per new class submitted*

Additional $50 per renewal charge associated with Approved Providers that want to be sponsored by NCBTMB to teach New York LMTs**

*Please note that each course must be submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to offering NCBTMB continuing education hours.

** NY will only accept CEs from a CE Provider that NY approves or that is sponsored by an entity that has been approved by the NY Board. NCBTMB is a New York approved Sponsor and will pass this sponsorship to its Approved Providers.

Who do I contact at NCBTMB if I have questions about renewing my Approved Provider status?

For any additional questions on renewing your NCBTMB Approved Provider status, or on the renewal application process, please call 1-800-296-0664 or email ce@ncbtmb.org.

Acceptable CE Course guidelines

For a full breakdown of the Approved Provider Structure, Roles, and Instructor Qualifications, click here.

Please note that all certificates must list CLASS TYLE (i.e. live, home study or live webinar).

What are the Continuing Education Course Criteria?

Continuing education courses must exceed a basic 500-hour core program. Continuing education courses that contain core curriculum content will not be accepted. The criterion by which the NCBTMB determines a course to be continuing education in scope is that it covers material not usually taught in the core 500-hour curriculum. However, it is understood that reviewing information that may have been taught in core curriculum may be necessary to move forward within the course. This is acceptable as long as the primary portion of the course is of a more advanced nature.

500-hours administered by NCBTMB break down as follows:

125 hours of instruction in the body’s systems and anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology

10 hours of business and ethics instruction (a minimum of 6 hours in ethics)

125 hours of instruction in an area or related field that theoretically completes your massage program of study

Continuing education courses must expand and enhance the knowledge base of NCBTMB participants by addressing not only soft tissue manipulation, energy fields, body movement, and business practices, but also acknowledge and demonstrate a holistic approach to the care of the client and self with the ethical use of adjunct therapies and modalities that impact and support a level of wellness of the body, mind, and spirit

Acceptable course content includes but is not limited to:

Applications of massage and bodywork therapy for specific needs, conditions, or client populations

Anatomy, physiology and kinesiology

Research literacy

Client assessment protocols, skills for client record keeping, strategies for interfacing with other health care providers

Use of external agents such as water, light, sound, heat, cold, or topicals

Advanced science courses that contain content which goes beyond the massage therapist’s scope of practice (as defined by state and/or local legislation), and that is instructive in understanding different systems of the body or human behavior more in depth. Click here for more information

Energy work that includes “'the application of professional therapeutic touch.”

NCBTMB only accepts 4 CEs per renewal period in self-care.

Does NCBTMB accept advanced science courses?

NCBTMB will accept continuing education hours from Approved Providers for advanced science courses that contain content which goes beyond the Massage Therapy Scope of Practice but may be conducive to understanding different systems of the body or human behavior more in depth.

Participation and continuing education hours awarded for completion of the above mentioned course are strictly for the advanced development and understanding in interdisciplinary practices. Massage therapists are only allowed to practice within their professional Scope of Practice, and any skills learned in this course are for further development purposes and should not be practiced professionally.

Massage therapists who wish to take these courses may with the understanding that the information was approved by NCBTMB to strengthen the therapist’s knowledge of human science. Massage therapists caught practicing advanced modalities or advising clients in practices that are outside of the massage therapy scope of practice can lose their Board Certification and massage therapy license.

To practice the information learned within advanced science courses, a massage therapist must take additional education and earn a degree in the subject matter.

Approved Providers teaching these courses shall divulge this information to any and all massage therapists taking their courses.

To learn more about NCBTMB and advanced science courses, please click here.

Will NCBTMB award CEs for my First Aid/CPR courses?

While all providers are welcome to create and/or offer First Aid and CPR courses, NCBTMB will NOT award CEs for this type of content.

Programs specifically designed to promote a product or commodity that must be purchased by the participant for use or resale to the public are not acceptable. If an Approved Provider does have a product or commodity for sale and wishes to share the information with the class it must be done before or after class time and attendance may not be made mandatory, nor may CEs be given for that portion of the day.

If a participant is required to use a specific device during a course, the device must be supplied by the Approved Provider during the duration of the course. Participants may not be required to purchase the device unless the requirement is posted, clearly prior to the course date.

NCBTMB does not endorse any particular products or services and the use of the trademarked NCBTMB logo in such a manner as to imply this is strictly prohibited.

What are NCBTMB’s guidelines for Home Study courses?

Home study courses are defined as a course that is taken by a participant without direct communication with the instructor. These courses are distributed via website, email or U.S. Mail by the Approved Provider to the participant. Once the participant completes the material, a test must be taken and submitted back to the provider to be graded before the participant may receive a certificate. The Approved Provider must have the grading scale documented to inform the participant of the grade that must be earned before the participant passes the course.

CEs given to each participant must match the length of time it takes the average person to complete the course. NCBTMB has created minimal criteria that each home study course must pass before the course can be accepted:

The course content must be within the massage therapy scope of practice.

The course content must be more advanced than the core curriculum guidelines.

The course outline must fully describe the learning objectives to the participant.

The number of CEs must be clearly defined and each course may not over or understate the amount of CEs each course is worth.

15,000 words read equals 1 CE.

One hour of video or audio equals 1 CE.

Providers may give additional CEs for course work completed but the course work must be previously listed.

According to several studies, the average reader reads approximately 250 words per minute.

Some participants may read faster or slower than the average but home study courses may not be diluted to overstate the amount of CEs allowed for a home study course completion.

Approved Providers that teach courses via email or website must have contact information accessible to a participant in case technical issues arise.

Please indicate in the Course Outline section of the Course Submission Form how the course will be offered. (Ex. content materials are mailed, content materials are emailed, course available online).

If the content is available electronically, please upload the content with the “add file” link available on the form.

If the course is available online, please supply the; website address, username, and password so that the course may be reviewed.

If the course is only available by hard-copy, then please mail in contents with attention to; Approved Providers – New Course.

Materials will not be returned.

An exam must be completed by each participant with a passing score of 70 percent or better.

Each exam must contain a minimum of 5 multiple-choice, questions, (containing 4 possible choices), per hour of class.

Certificates of Achievement are given to participants who complete a home study course.

If a Provider is using material created by other sources, he/she must follow these guidelines:

When creating a home study course, NCBTMB will accept no more than 30% of the material from a cited source (this includes videos).

Providers may use more than 30% as reference material, but the additional material may not be counted in the word count or video time.

If a provider is using a text book, each participant must purchase the text book through either the provider or the publisher.

Providers must cite all material that is taken from another source.

Approved Providers may also work with an instructional designer to determine CE hours. Instructional designer must provide documentation of assignment of CE hours. Contact NCBTMB staff for additional information at ce@ncbtmb.org or call 1-800-296-0664.

What are NCBTMB’s guidelines for Live Courses and/or Distant Learning?

Live courses are defined as courses that are taken by participants in the presence of an instructor. The instructor distributes the information to participants via lecture, video and discussions. Participants must attend 100% of the course to receive a Certificate of Completion. The instructor may wish to test students using a written exam or practical. If a test is given to participants the provider should distribute Certificates of Achievement. If the participants must sit in class for 100% of the time but no test is given, the provider should distribute Certificates of Completion.

The course content must be within NCBTMB's stated acceptable content.

The course content must be more advanced than the core curriculum guidelines.

Learning objectives must be fully described and available to the participant.

The number of CEs must be clearly defined and each course may not over or understate the amount of CEs each course is worth.

Distant Learning is defined as courses that are held in a distant location but there is direct communication during the course between the instructor and participants. Communication between the instructor and participants may be by phone, interactive webinar or website. All of the criteria for live courses is replicated in webinars.

Once I am an Approved Provider, can I offer classes in any state?

All first-time providers with NCBTMB can award retroactive continuing education hours up to 1 year prior to the date of approval of your Initial Approved Provider application.

Furthermore, CE certificates can be awarded to participants who have completed any of your approved NCBTMB courses. Each state is separate, and has the privilege to set its own parameters for the continuing education of their licensed professionals. Most states accept NCBTMB approved continuing education courses; however, some have created their own guidelines or limits for content they are willing to accept, along with content they require to be completed. Some have placed limits on the type (ex. home study, webinar, live) of course hours which can be accepted, and, additionally, some states have their own programs entirely.

It is for this reason NCBTMB suggests you present your courses to prospective students as NCBTMB Approved. It is best you recommend each Massage Therapist to check directly with their state to ensure the NCBTMB approved course they wish to take with you will be accepted. NCBTMB also advises that when planning to teach a course in a particular state, you check with that state directly to see if it will accept your NCBTMB approved continuing education. This way, you can offer accurate, up-to-date details to your participants, and feel confident about where you are planning classes. NCBTMB offers additional information for the continuing education requirements for each state here.

Can schools offer Continuing Education?

Schools that offer a core curriculum that exceeds 500 hours and covers material such as Shiatsu, Reflexology, etc., may opt to offer these courses to Nationally/Board Certified massage therapists and bodyworkers, who have not previously taken these courses during their core curriculum, as continuing education.

How do I provide a certificate for a home study, kinesthetic, or Distance Learning course?

When a participant is issued a certificate of achievement for a home study/kinesthetic or distance learning course, an evaluation of the student’s knowledge is required. The evaluation may be practical or written, at the discretion of the Approved Provider.

Your options are:

Written evaluation/test

The instructor must create a test, testing the student’s retention of the material. The student will then submit the completed test to receive a Certificate of Achievement. The grading scale must be posted so students know, in advance, the score they must achieve.

Practical evaluation/test

An Approved Provider may train proctors in different areas of the country to help test their students. Each proctor must follow the Approved Providers directions and have outlined the information the Approved Provider would like to test. Proctors and locations must be listed on the Approved Provider’s website or promotional material in advance. Once the student passes the practical evaluation the Approved Provider may distribute a Certificate of Achievement. The grading scale must be posted so students know, in advance, the score they must achieve.

How long should I maintain my student records for?

All certificates and student information must be kept for at least five years. These files may be kept electronically or in a locked file cabinet. The Approved Provider must be able to supply any person who has taken a course with additional certificates or transcripts upon request.

Tips/Tools for CE Providers

Will my Approved Provider number transfer if I sell my company?

No. The previous owner must contact NCBTMB’s Approved Provider department at ce@ncbtmb.org or by calling 1-800-296-0664 to inform us that the Approved Provider organization has been sold. NCBTMB will close the current Approved Provider. The new owner must submit a new Initial Approved Provider Code Request Form. Approved Provider Codes are non-transferable between owners.

Where can I find Instructor Evaluation forms?

Evaluation forms should be given to each student/participant at the end of each course to complete and submit to the instructor. This will enable the instructor to use this feedback to strengthen weaknesses improving the quality of teaching and the course. Student evaluation forms are available on the NCBTMB website: http://www.ncbtmb.org/formstoolslogos.

What type of certificate or achievement must I provide students/participants?

At the end of each separate course a Certificate must be given to a student/participant who has completed the course. Approved Providers may use the certificates located on the NCBTMB website. These may be changed and altered to fit the Approved Provider’s needs and can be found here: http://www.ncbtmb.org/formstoolslogos.

Other forms of certificates include:

Certificate of Completion: A Certificate of Completion is given to a participant who has attended 100 % of a live course.

Certificate of Achievement: A Certificate of Achievement is given to a participant who has passed some type of written or practical examination. Passing a quiz is required for home study courses to ensure the participant has completed the courses work; therefore all home study courses instructors must complete Certificates of Achievement.

Exception: If a test is mandatory for a live course, and a participant has been excused from taking the test, the instructor has the right to offer a Certificate of Completion.

What information do my certificates need to have on them?

Each Certificate (Achievement and/or Completion) must contain the following information:

Participant’s name

Course title

Course completion date

Number of Continuing Education hours granted

CEUs are not CE hours and certificates are incorrect if hours are counted as CEUs.

If a course has both a Live portion and Home Study, each must be spelled out

If a webinar is taken for the second time as a prerecorded course, it is a Home Study

The Approved Provider’s Name (as submitted on the application)

Individual Approved Providers may use their names

Organizations may use the organization name

The Provider’s email address

The NCBTMB Approved Provider number

Signature of the Approved Provider

Organizations should have the signature line of the administrator of the organization and also the instructor who taught the course

What information do my transcripts need to have on them?

Approved Providers may use the transcripts located on the NCBTMB website. These may be changed and altered to fit the Approved Provider’s needs, available at: http://www.ncbtmb.org/formstoolslogos.

Other important notes:

Participant transcripts must be made available for all participants upon request. Transcripts are a cumulative record of all courses taken by a specific participant. Administration and maintenance of continuing education participant transcripts and other education records are stored separately from the transcripts/educational records of core curriculum students.

All participant records are confidential and can only be reproduced by written permission of the participant. All transcript or record requests by participants must be handled in a timely manner.

Sign-in sheets do not satisfy the requirements for a participant’s transcripts or records.

Important information on Course Hour Ranges: Several Approved Providers teach full courses in a certain modality or subject matter and then shorten these courses to meet the needs of conference or school venues. In these situations, NCBTMB asks that you submit the name of the course and number of CEs the course will be taught. NCBTMB will then enter this course to your profile information.

If your full course in a specific modality is segregated into different areas of the body, and taught as different areas of the body as stand-alone courses, please submit these courses under the full version of the course. If the main course is already added to the website, please email ce@ncbtmb.org, give your Approved Provider number, the name of the full course and the names of the segregated courses beneath it, with a brief explanation describing that you would like the specific courses listed as divisions of the main course.

What is NCBTMB’s Promotional Policy?

Promotional materials must include the following information:

Clearly identify which course offering(s) will be accepted by NCBTMB as continuing education

Date(s), time(s) and location(s) of course offering(s)

Cost of the course offering(s)

The number of CE hours for course offering(s)

Prerequisites (if applicable)

Name of the person teaching the course(s)

If the Approved Provider is an organization, the name of the organization and the instructor that will be teaching the course must be listed.

I want to teach CE courses that will be accepted in New York. What do I need to know?

New York will only accept CEs from Providers that New York approves, or that is sponsored by an entity that has been approved by the New York Board. NCBTMB is a New York Approved Sponsor, and can pass this sponsorship on to approved providers who apply for it.

There is an application process to become a NY Sponsored NCBTMB Approved Provider. ALL course and instructor information MUST be submitted on the New York Sponsor application to be approved, even if you have submitted the information before. This may require you to submit additional documentation to NCBTMB to complete this process.

The cost for the New York Sponsor Application is a $50.00 flat fee at this time. All courses must first be approved by NCBTMB to be eligible for New York approval. Most important: New York Sponsorship expires when your Approved Provider account expires. You must renew both prior to your expiration date.

Once approved as a NY Sponsored Approved Provider through NCBTMB, you will not show up on the New York website as a New York approved Provider, however you will be added to our list of NY Sponsored Approved Providers on the NCBTMB website here.

Please note that New York has specific guidelines for continuing education that differ slightly from NCBTMB. This means you may have a course that is approved for NCBTMB, but NOT approved for New York. New York will NOT accept classes in: Energy work, Reiki, Kinesio Taping, Teacher Training, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, animal massage, laws of other states, insurance billing, meditation, medical errors, nutrition, appearance enhancement or business profit enhancement, among others. For more information, you may visit .

Additionally, there are certain guidelines for instructor qualifications to teach in the state of New York. Any instructor teaching a hands-on modality within the state of New York MUST be a licensed massage therapist, doctor, RN, chiropractor or physical therapist. Copies of licenses must also be submitted for New York approval. The license can be from any state, but must be in good standing.

What does it mean that NCBTMB is an approved New York CE Sponsor?

The New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, has instituted new requirements for continuing education (CE) and CE instructors. New York will only recognize CE from sponsors or instructors who are sponsored by an approved entity. NCBTMB is pleased to be an approved sponsor for continuing education in New York.

If you wish to be sponsored by NCBTMB and are not a current Approved Continuing Education Provider, please click "Register" at the top of this page to create an account. Complete the “Approved Provider Initial Application” and the “NY Sponsorship Application”.

If you are a current NCBTMB Approved Provider, please login to your account and complete the “NY Sponsorship Application”. If you do not yet have a username and password, please email info@ncbtmb.org.

If you need additional assistance locating a specific form, please login to the NCBTMB website using your username and password and look under the ‘Complete a Form’ section. If you are still unable to find the form required, please contact us at 1-800-296-0664 or email info@ncbtmb.org.

How long should I keep course documentation?

Approved Providers must keep record of all classes that have been taught for a minimum of FIVE (5) years. APs must also keep record of all participant information per class for a minimum of FIVE (5) years.

Course information to record/keep for 5 years:

Title, number of CEs, date, address course was taught

Evaluations

Certificates of completion or achievement

Participant information to record/keep for 5 years:

Name, address, phone

List of courses with course information that each participant has taken

Scroll down to the Approved Provider Forms and click on New (Additional) Course Submissions.

Complete the form, as required.

Be sure to check the box at the bottom if you are currently approved and participating in our NY Sponsor program only.

If you wish to add more than one course, please use the “Add New” button, and add additional course requests to the same form.

By including all course requests on the same form, you will be able to checkout at once—a timesaving option.

Once your form is complete, click Submit Form.

Enter your payment information and click Confirm Payment.

NCBTMB makes every effort to review your course additions as soon as possible. We typically process all requests within four weeks from the date of submission. You can view the status of all your applications by logging into your account and clicking on “Complete a Form.”Then, click the “Completed Forms” tab. Here, you will see a list of all submitted applications—simply locate the application you are looking for, and you will be able to see its current status.

Please note that, upon approval, you can retroactively grant CE’s for any course that you taught during the approval process.

If this is a Conference Submission, skip over the top portion of the form and click on Conference Submission. Be sure to attach a completed Conference Spreadsheet.

How can I add new classes for a conference to my Approved Provider account?

To add new classes to your current Approved Provider account for a conference, it’s relatively simple with our convenient online Career Management System. Check out these helpful steps for adding your new class:

Scroll down to the Approved Provider Forms and click on New (Additional) Course Submissions.

Complete the form, as required.

Be sure to check the box at the bottom if you are currently approved and participating in our NY Sponsor program only.

Since this is for a Conference Submission, you may skip the top portion of the form and click Conference Submission.

Fill out and attach a completed Conference Spreadsheet.

If you wish to add more than one course, please use the “Add New” button, and add additional course requests to the same form.

By adding all course requests on the same form, you will be able to checkout at once—a timesaving option.

Once your form is complete, click Submit Form.

Enter your payment information and click Confirm Payment.

NCBTMB makes every effort to review your course additions as soon as possible. We typically process all requests within four weeks from the date of submission. You can view the status of all your applications by logging into your account and clicking on “Complete a Form.” Then, click the “Completed Forms” tab. Here, you will see a list of all submitted applications—simply locate the application you are looking for, and you will be able to see its current status.

Please also note that each course must be submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to offering NCBTMB continuing education hours.

Scroll down to the Approved Provider applications and click the “Existing Course Update” form.

Complete the form, as required.

Be sure to check the box at the bottom if you are currently approved and participating in our NY Sponsor program only.

If you wish to add more than one course, please use the “Add New” button, and add additional course requests to the same form.

By including all course requests on the same form, you will be able to submit all at once—a timesaving option.

Once your form is complete, click “Submit Form.”

There is no charge to make changes to an existing course.

NCBTMB makes every effort to review your requests as soon as possible. We typically process all requests within four weeks from the date of submission. You can view the status of all your applications by logging into your account and clicking on “Complete a Form.” Then, click the “Completed Forms” tab. Here, you will see a list of all submitted applications—simply locate the application you are looking for, and you will be able to see its current status.

What are NCBTMB’s registration, cancellation, and refund policies?

All Approved Providers are required to have written policies regarding the registration, cancellation, and refund of your courses. The explanation should be easily accessible and include: